AMUCO posers to Union Home Minister
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 20 2012:
All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) questioned Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde 'what is the harm in having economic and administrative relations with China and North East States remaining within Indian boundary if New Delhi encourages racial boundary system ?' .
In a press statement, AMUCO observed that Kashmir must be allowed to go together with Pakistan and West Bengal with Bangladesh if the Government of India believes that governance and economic policies of a particular community or race must be dealt together.
AMUCO also questioned the Union Home Minister and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh whether there is any Schedule in the Constitution of India to directly provide development fund to an underdeveloped hill area overlooking the State administration to bring development to the area or prepare budget exclusively meant for the Nagas.
It further questioned what status would be given to the Kukis residing in the hills of Manipur.
Seeking response to these queries from the Government of India, AMUCO said that it would spell out its future course of action after having consultations with the organisations which are taking pro-active part in the movement of safeguarding the boundary of Manipur.
The body, which took active part in June 2001 public uprising, further cautioned Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde not to pressurise Chief Minister O Ibobi in taking any decision with regards to Indo-Naga peace talks.
If the Government of India is concerned about bringing development in hill areas, Tamenglong and Chandel districts could be given extra attention, AMUCO said adding that the remaining hill districts are comparatively better.
It further contended that AMUCO is well aware of the agenda behind clubbing together of all the Nagas of the North East States.
Maintaining that there is no affinity with the Nagas of Manipur and Nagas of Nagaland, AMUCO added that Meitei rulers used to protect the Nagas of Manipur when they faced aggression from the Nagas of Nagaland.
It is well mentioned in different write-ups written by Naga scholars that Nagas and Meiteis in Manipur are brothers.
In early times, Meiteis and Nagas resided together at Makhel and they parted ways from there to take different course of civilization, it noted.